Jane Feldman, the first and only director of the Colorado Independent Ethics Commission, is leaving at the end of the month, capping a tenure that raised questions about the ballot measure that created the group.

During this week’s commission meeting, Luis Toro, director of Colorado Ethics Watch, praised the job she has done for the five-member panel, calling her “the very model of a dedicated civil servant.”

But one of Feldman’s critics, Deputy Secretary of State Suzanne Staiert, said she hopes Feldman finds a “better fit where she can continue to advocate for her Democrat causes.” Staiert’s boss, Republican Secretary of State Scott Gessler, is appealing a commission ruling that he violated the state’s ethics laws.

Feldman once referred to Staiert as the “dragon lady” during an interview with a state official, prompting Gessler’s office to ask for an outside investigator to review his complaint. Staiert now laughs about the nickname, and even jokes that she wears her pink cardigan to soften her imagine. But she wonders if Feldman’s sudden departure is because the commission decided to “scapegoat her” for questions about how the commission operates. Complaints about the commission have led to legislation being introduced this session.

Feldman has only said she looks forward to retirement from state government.

The commission was created as a result of a ethics ballot measure Coloradans passed in 2006. Critics have long said Amendment 41 was poorly worded, and experts contend its gift-ban provision is the most difficult to interpret because of its nuances and exemptions.

The commission is currently investigating an ethics complaint filed against Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper by a Gessler ally, the conservative group Compass Colorado. The complaint alleges Hickenlooper violated the state’s gift ban, but conservatives find themselves in a sticky situation on this one: If Hickenlooper is found guilty, they can expect an ethics complaint to be filed against Republican Attorney General John Suthers. A open-records request filed by the Denver Post last year after Compass filed its complaint shows Suthers also attended a partisan event and had his expenses covered.

A House committee on March 10 will hear a bill by Rep. Amy Stephens, R-Monument, concerning the commission. House Bill 1258 mandates those investigated by the ethics commission receive not only an attorney but also notice of the elements of what they are charged with. In addition, if one of the five commissioners “intentionally recklessly, or willfully” violate those rights that commissioner faces personal liability.

Attorney Elliot Fladen, who is drumming up support for the measure, said an ethics investigation “can severely jeopardize the reputation of the people that come before it.”

“Due to the manner in how the IEC has handled this power, concern has arisen that the IEC has very little in the way of procedural mechanisms to assure those before it they will receive due process,” he said.

Here is Toro’s entire statement:

As everyone here knows, Executive Director Jane Feldman is retiring from service to the State of Colorado at the end of this month.

In her five and a half years of service as the Executive Director — and usually the only employee — of the Colorado Independent Ethics Commission, Director Feldman has worked tirelessly to support this Commission.

She has dealt with everyone who came into contact with the Commission with fairness and courtesy — the very model of a dedicated civil servant and an excellent representative for the IEC. We thank her for her service and wish her well in her new endeavors.

Though Director Feldman can never truly be replaced, we hope the IEC will act swiftly to find a new Executive Director to carry on the important work of this Commission.

Joey Bunch has been a reporter for 28 years, including the last 12 at The Denver Post. For various newspapers he has covered the environment, water issues, politics, civil rights, sports and the casino industry.